Overview
Mark E. McCormick is the former Director of Strategic Communications for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas. In 2026, he became a Dole Fellow of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. McCormick is a distinguished New York Times best-selling author with over two decades of experience as a reporter, editor, and columnist. He has also served as a trustee at the University of Kansas School of Journalism and held the position of Professional in Residence at the University of Oklahoma.
Selected Publications
McCormick, M. (2023, August 27). Rise of Kansas’ Barry Sanders shows how Black talent was — and still is — overlooked. Kansas Reflector. https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/27/rise-of-kansas-barry-sanders-shows-how-black-talent-was-and-still-is-overlooked/
McCormick, M. (2023, April 16). Kansas lawmakers’ flimsy ‘woke’ narrative melts under heat of civil rights history. Kansas Reflector. https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/16/kansas-lawmakers-flimsy-woke-narrative-melts-under-heat-of-civil-rights-history/
McCormick, M. (2023, February 26). Black History Month means empowerment. That provokes attacks on education in Kansas and the U.S. Kansas Reflector. https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/26/black-history-month-means-empowe…
McCormick, M. (2021, April 14). Assets and deficits: Establishing an African-American narrative [Video]. Perspectives: Reestablishing Reality. WSUTv. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSO8O5B-Cok
McCormick, M. (2020). Some Were Paupers, Some Were Kings: Dispatches from Kansas. Blue Cedar Press.
Early Life and Education
Mark E. McCormick grew up in Wichita, Kansas, in a neighborhood marked by the historical segregation of the 1950s and 1960s, when the city ranked among the most divided in the nation. McCormick’s school district reflected this struggle for integration. It took 18 years to achieve unity, a timeline not uncommon in cities across the American South. These experiences growing up significantly shaped McCormick’s perception of the world.
McCormick’s familial roots extend to Boley, Oklahoma, an all-black town where his parents grew up. In this unique community, every authoritative figure, including the mayor and police chief, was African American. McCormick’s grandfather was the Boley police chief for over 50 years. The dynamics of such a society left an indelible mark on McCormick.
A pivotal influence on McCormick’s journey into journalism was his sister, who, since the age of 15, sparked his interest in the field. She earned the title of High School Journalist of the Year. Following her footsteps, McCormick pursued journalism at the University of Kansas, where he later became a trustee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in News/Editorial Journalism from the University of Kansas in 1990.
Career
McCormick began his journalism career in 1990 as a Religion Writer for The Louisville Courier-Journal. He held the position until 1995, when he returned to Wichita as a Writer/Editor/Columnist for The Wichita Eagle. His distinguished contributions have earned him over 20 industry and community accolades, including three gold medals from the Kansas City Press Club and five Gold Awards. McCormick is an impactful journalist and storyteller, and, in 2003, had the privilege of collaborating with Barry Sanders to write Barry Sanders: Now You See Him … His Story in His Own Words.
During a significant chapter in McCormick’s career at the Reno Gazette-Journal in Reno, Nevada, he embarked on a journalistic journey that earned him the General News Writing Award from the esteemed national journalism competition, the William Randolph Hearst contest. One of the most impactful stories he covered was of a courageous woman rancher who saved her husband from a lightning strike while on the range. In the harrowing incident, a lightning bolt struck between them, claiming the life of her husband’s horse and immobilizing her husband. She administered life-saving CPR and, having been thrown from her horse, jogged five miles to reach a car and seek help.
McCormick’s journey was not without challenges. A recurrent theme in his newsroom experiences was his propensity to push the boundaries of conventional storytelling, often making editors uneasy with the daring subjects he proposed. One such instance involved a rejected proposal for a series on white flight. Unfazed, McCormick redirected his focus to a groundbreaking series titled “Black Flight Stories,” exploring the African American community’s dynamics in Wichita and Kansas, delving into both those who left in a “black brain drain” and those who made a deliberate choice to remain resilient against gentrification pressures.
In 2009, McCormick became the Director of Communications at The Kansas Leadership Center. In 2013, he became Executive Director of The Kansas African American Museum. His work there inspired two of his books. In 2015, McCormick co-authored African Americans of Wichita, and in 2017, he wrote Some Were Paupers, Some Were Kings: Dispatches From Kansas.
In 2018, McCormick joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas as the Director of Strategic Communications while working at the Kansas African American Museum. In 2020, Wichita State University named his book Some Were Paupers, Some Were Kings its ‘campus read’ for the year. All students read the book, which was taught in several classes, and McCormick gave the convocation address. In his speech, he challenged the school to create a certificate or degree program on dismantling systemic racism. In the years since, he has helped the university develop the curriculum and infrastructure for this program. McCormick is deeply committed to educational and community endeavors. He is a trustee at the University of Kansas School of Journalism and served as a Professional in Residence at the University of Oklahoma.
McCormick’s career has also included significant contributions to documentary films. He was featured in NFL Films’ “Barry Sanders: A Football Life”. He also appeared in “Roots and Branches: Preserving the Legacy of Gordon Parks,” a documentary that highlights Wichita State University’s pursuit of the collected works of the renowned photographer, writer, filmmaker, and native Kansan Gordon Parks. McCormick appeared in the documentary “William Allen White: What’s the Matter With Kansas?” which focused on the life and work of journalist and statesman William Allen White.
McCormick has held a significant role in the Association of African American Museums, where he served on the national board of directors and chaired the communications committee.
In 2022, McCormick was named Deputy Executive Director of the ACLU of Kansas and left the African American Museum to dedicate all his time to the ACLU of Kansas. This role allowed him to advocate more for social justice and civil liberties. He has consistently devoted his career to public service, and this new position aligns with his commitment to advocacy. McCormick’s commitment to various causes reflects his dedication to improving society. In 2026, he became a Dole Fellow of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. The Dole Institute attempts to foster bipartisanship, civility, and discourse. The fellowship program brings together those involved in politics and University of Kansas students to build a greater appreciation for civic and political involvement through a series of Discussion Group sessions.
McCormick is committed to shedding light on societal issues that others might shy away. He covered a tragic incident in a convenience store where patrons callously ignored a stabbed woman for several minutes before seeking help. The article exposed a chilling aspect of societal indifference, allowing apathy to persist. Such stories reflect McCormick’s unwavering dedication to bringing attention to the uncomfortable realities that often lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. His work as a New York Times best-selling author has significantly impacted the literary world.